The Prince Edward Hotel

Brandon Sun - ONLINE EDITION

Opening the International Peace Garden

The Prince Edward Hotel at 100

By: Grant Hamilton

Friday, Jun. 8, 2012 at 5:49 PM | Comments: 0

INTERNATIONAL PEACE GARDEN Enlarge Image

Cars pack the fields at the International Peace Garden during its official opening on July 14, 1932

Up to 30,000 people were expected, along with nine bands and a 300-voice choir. Featured would be games of softball, lacrosse and horseshoe pitching — then an international tug-of-war.

Enlarge Image

Another look at the mass of cars from that official opening day. Some 50,000 people attended. (INTERNATIONAL PEACE GARDEN)

Enlarge Image

A cairn marking the International Peace Garden is unveiled for the first time, on July 14, 1932.

Enlarge Image

Crowds take in some of the proceedings during the International Peace Garden's official opening, on July 14, 1932. (INTERNATIONAL PEACE GARDEN)

A plane would take off from a brand-new strip, taking visitors on aerial tours. Two special train coaches were delivering guests and special buses would be taking a freshly-graded gravel road from Boissevain. The RCMP would be directing traffic; a dozen nurses were on standby in a first-aid tent.

Related Items

Articles
- Part 2: Heyday of the hotel

Several premiers and U.S. state governors were among the dignitaries tapped to give speeches. President Hoover sent greetings, as did the Governor General.

It was 1932, and the International Peace Garden was being dedicated.

And it all kicked off at the Prince Edward Hotel — where an evening banquet the night before the dedication ceremony congratulated the very people who made the Peace Garden happen.

"It was probably the most notable gathering of its kind ever held in in the city of Brandon," trumpeted the Brandon Daily Sun in a lengthy front-page story. "Representative men of both countries stressed the hope that the establishment of the peace gardens would be a guiding beacon to other nations of the world on the road to permanent peace."

(And it was all men; women had been relegated to the Cecil Hotel — and coverage of their banquet was well back, on Page 5.)

Ticket sales for the two banquets broke records. The Prince Edward was packed — "cramped" according to the Sun — and the party atmosphere spilled out into the rest of Brandon.

"The city was in gala attire … colored lights and streamers have been strung along the city streets and buildings." Speeches from the Prince Edward were broadcast city-wide on CKX radio.

The next day, attendance at the Peace Garden dedication itself smashed expectations. Fifty thousand turned up, the RCMP traffic cops were swamped, and a midway was set up for the kids. Five airplanes showed up to give tours at a quarter apiece — "they did a thriving trade."

Of course, so did pickpockets and snake oil salesman.

Representatives from the United States side managed to win the tug-of-war that first day, but in softball, the Brandon Sheas returned the favour, soundly defeating the Americans by a score of 20–8.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Rate this
This article has not yet been rated.

We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.

Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments

You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

There are no comments at the moment. Be the first to post a comment below.

Post Your Comment

The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.